Myall Park Botanic Gardens

A  return to Myall Park Botanic Gardens planned for May 2022 happened to coincide with a continuation of a major weather event which had saturated Queensland and New South Wales.  A three night stay in Avochie Cottage with warm beds and self catering facilities was our chosen option.  Unfortunately we had no control over the weather.  

A stop at Wooroolin Wetlands on the Bunya Highway, south of Wondai revealed the  rains had filled the wetlands.  Magpie geese, Black swans and a number of ducks and egrets were the waterbirds most in evidence: a Giant egret finally took flight.

Chestnut breasted Mannikins, Yellow-rump Thornbills, Yellow Thornbills, Superb and Variegated Fairy-wrens were spotted on the far side of the reserve.

Red-winged Parrots and Golden headed Cisticola were captured on film

West of Dalby a visit to Lake Broadwater revealed no Blue-billed Duck (a wild duck chase) but a lake full to overflowing. White-winged choughs, Cockatiels and Diamond Doves were the highlight sightings.

Myall Park suffered badly in the drought years. With the rains, the amazing volunteers of Myall Park Gardens have progressed a replanting program.  Spring promises to be quite a spectacle.

Gallery, Front gate panels.  It needs to be remembered that the Gardens were the original home of Dorothy and Dave Gordon and their family, where Dave developed his range of outstanding Grevilleas- Robyn, Sandra, Dorothy and Merinda Gordon. A collection of plants from arid and semi-arid locations was the focus for Dave Gordon. 

    

Eucalypts from Western Australia:  E. Kingsmilli, E.Orbifolia.

A full dam, strong natural grasses growth present a potentially wonderful source of  seed for doves and finches. 

 Some bird species were absent but should soon return

Striped, Spiny-cheeked, Brown-headed Honyeaters posed in the grevilleas

Selected Bird list: White-eared & Singing Honeyeater, Red-capped Robin, Chestnut-rumped Thornbill, Western and White-throated Gerygone, Spotted Bowerbird, Brolgas and chick, Cockatiel, Red- rumped Parrot, Weebill, Speckled Warbler.

Photos: Kerrie O'Donnell

Explorers: Cameron, Cecile, Rahima, Annette.

May 2022